EP0097080B1 - Production system for under water deposits of fluids - Google Patents

Production system for under water deposits of fluids Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0097080B1
EP0097080B1 EP83401124A EP83401124A EP0097080B1 EP 0097080 B1 EP0097080 B1 EP 0097080B1 EP 83401124 A EP83401124 A EP 83401124A EP 83401124 A EP83401124 A EP 83401124A EP 0097080 B1 EP0097080 B1 EP 0097080B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
degasser
effluent
well
installation
buoyancy
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EP83401124A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0097080A1 (en
Inventor
Gérard Chaudot
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT83401124T priority Critical patent/ATE20949T1/en
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/34—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
    • E21B43/36—Underwater separating arrangements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
    • B01D19/0063—Regulation, control including valves and floats
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/12—Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an operating system intended to initiate (that is to say allow the exploitation of wells which do not produce naturally) and / or to modulate the production of wells while making it possible to increase the recovery of fluids in place in a deposit, especially at sea (offshore).
  • Such a separator is very complex since it requires the use of a sealed box. In addition, it requires for its realization a vertical column with buoyancy always positive.
  • the invention therefore aims to eliminate the drawbacks of the systems according to the prior art reported.
  • the degassing flask has the property of floating in water as soon as it is partially or completely full of air or gas and of sinking if it is partially or completely full of liquids. In any event, it is designed so as to undergo detectable variations in weight when the liquid level fluctuates inside it. In addition, its attachment to the bottom of the sea and to the pipes which are connected to it must allow significant displacement or a variation of stresses actuating directly or indirectly members making it possible to regulate the flow of the effluent and / or the flow of working fluid and / or the intensity or the voltage of the electric current supplying the device for lifting the liquid effluent from the outlet of the degassing flask to the surface installations located directly above or at a distance from said flask.
  • the gas outlet of the degassing flask is connected to the surface by a flexible or rigid pipe fitted, at its upper end, with a pressure control valve or an adjustable calibrated valve allowing the pressure set point to be varied the interior of the degassing flask from the initial pressure at the head of production to a pressure close to atmospheric pressure at the level of the degassing flask, taking into account the density of the gaseous effluent in the above-mentioned pipeline.
  • the point of emergence of the gas exhaust pipe may be different from the point of emergence of the outlet of the liquid effluent pipe.
  • the liquid effluent outlet of the degassing flask is therefore connected to a lifting member consisting for example of a centrifugal pump with one or more stages or of a positive displacement alternative pump, driven by electric motor at variable speed or not , or by hydraulic motor.
  • This hydraulic motor may consist, for example, of a turbine, the working fluid of which may be effluent partially or totally treated at the surface and pumped back to the hydraulic motor of the effluent lifting pump, by a flexible pipe or rigid.
  • the working fluid can be remixed with the liquid effluent leaving the lift pump or recirculated to the surface by a separate pipe.
  • this process can be combined, depending on the problem to be solved, with the injection into the well or at the head of it, of chemical agents, heat-carrying fluids or light hydrocarbons intended to promote the flow of the effluent and to decrease its density, and more generally to improve the productivity of the wells.
  • a simple process is thus obtained which makes it possible to lower the pressure at the wellhead to a very low value, whatever the depth of water in which the aforementioned wellhead is immersed, and the control of which can be carried out from the surface , even if the distance between the wellhead and this control point is great.
  • the flow rate of the effluent from the well is discharged by a lifting means, the flow rate of which will be self-controlled by the variation in buoyancy of the degassing flask separating the liquid and gaseous phases of the effluent. .
  • the evacuation capacity of said lifting means may be maximum when the degassing flask is full of liquids.
  • the flask degasser and all the elei ents contributing to its connections and operation will be designed to withstand at least the outer pressure corresponding to the depth to which they will be installed on the one hand, and on the other hand, calculated to withstand the internal pressure that may prevail in them, taking into account the external pressure they will undergo at the place of their installation or during the setting up or lifting operations.
  • the degassing flask and all or part of the elements contributing to its operation, in particular the means for pumping the liquid part of the effluent, may be liftable from the surface, simultaneously or independently of each other for maintenance or exchange control. They can be fixed and sealed using threads, bolted collars, bayonet systems, anchor dogs, herringbone fittings and elastic or plastic blocks (packers) of types similar to those used in mining or other wells.
  • the installation comprises one (or more) production wells 1 connected to a degassing flask 3 by a partially flexible pipe fitted, on the submarine production head side, with a safety shut-off valve.
  • the degassing balloon 3, itself submarine, has a buoyancy varying with the liquid level inside it, and can translate vertically on guides fitted with high and low stops 9.
  • the outlet liquids 27 from the degassing flask 3, which is also partially flexible, is connected to the suction of a pump 4 driven by hydraulic motor 5.
  • the working fluid supplied by a pipe 14 is remixed at the outlet of the engine 5 with the liquid effluent from the degassing flask 3 at the outlet of the lifting pump 4 and the whole is conveyed, to the inlet of a treatment separation installation located on the surface and represented by a separating flask 19, by a pipe 13
  • the working fluid is one per tie of the flow of recycled effluent after separation from treatment and the pressure of which will be raised by a pump 16, the excess liquid representing production being evacuated by a pipe 24 equipped with a control valve 15 controlled, for example by the detector level 17 in the separator balloon 19.
  • the variation in buoyancy or the vertical movements of the degassing balloon 3 directly or indirectly control, via a regulating valve 6, the flow of working liquid in the hydraulic motor 5 driving the lift pump 4.
  • the gas outlet 28 of the degassing flask 3, itself partially flexible, is connected to the atmosphere or to any installation for recovering the gaseous effluent by a pipe 12, 21 equipped with a pressure regulation valve 11 controlled by an upstream pressure detector 18, or an equivalent calibrated valve.
  • a load cell 8, or an equivalent device such as strain gauges, causes the closure, for example but not limited to, of the safety valve 2 and of the engine fluid control valve 6 in the event of normal operating conditions or abnormal lateral deflections of the degassing balloon 3 under the effect for example of traction of anchors, fishing nets, or the like, thus isolating for example the production well and the pipeline of pressurized working fluid.
  • the part of the production installation located on the surface may be contained in the bridges 22 supported by a metal structure (jacket) or other, exceeding the sea level 23, as shown, or in any other type of fixed support or floating, whether or not above sea level, or even ashore.
  • the degassing flask 3, the bottom motor-pump assembly 4, 5, and their accessories, are held on the sea bottom by a ballast structure 7 or by any other means suitable for supporting the weight of the assembly and the differences in buoyancy of said degassing flask, this structure possibly being part of the structure of the head of the production well or being articulated therein so as to facilitate the operations of installation and possible lifting.
  • the above motor-pump assembly may constitute a sub-assembly liftable for maintenance, exchange, anchored by conventional means 25 in a receptacle 26.
  • the degassing flask 32 can slide vertically in a skirt 52 limiting the deflections of said degassing flask by high stops and low 53, 54.
  • the fluid contained in this skirt can escape or re-enter it for example by an orifice 55, thus damping the vertical movements of the degasser balloon 32.
  • the entire device rests and is anchored on the bottom of the sea by a ballast base 56 which can also serve as a base plate for the well head (s) 31.
  • the degassing flask 32 as well as the downhole motor pump can be raised from the surface for repair, maintenance and exchange.
  • the assembly for injecting working fluid, for recovering and possibly venting the gaseous effluent can be located in a support structure located near or at a distance from / or the wells, while the pipe for evacuation of the liquid effluent 57 can convey the latter to a storage treatment installation located elsewhere, or even ashore.
  • the submarine production head (s) 61 is connected to the degassing flask 62 by a flexible pipe 63 fitted with a safety shut-off valve 64.
  • the degassing flask 62 is fixed to a ballast base 65 by a hinge 66 having a substantially horizontal axis, the main axis of the degasser balloon being inclined to the horizontal so as to be able to create a substantially greater buoyancy at the end of the degasser balloon opposite to that equipped with the above hinge.
  • the degassing flask 62 has a flexible pipe 67 for evacuating the gas to the surface equipped with a valve 68 controlling the pressure in the degassing flask and, if necessary, a valve 69 allowing the sample to be taken or recovered. gas for the purpose of using it as fuel, engine fluid or for marketing it.
  • the liquid outlet 70 of the degassing flask 62 is connected to a motor-pump unit 71, 72 by a flexible pipe.
  • the supply 73 of motor fluid to the motor-pump unit is regulated, depending on the level in the degassing flask 62 by a valve 74 controlled by a detection cell 75 of the variations in buoyancy of said degassing flask 62.
  • the detection cell 75 can actuate the safety shut-off valve 64 or any other safety valve deemed necessary.
  • the pipe 73 will be replaced by an electric cable connected on the surface to a generator.
  • the weight or buoyancy detection cell 75 can be equipped with cable or fiber for transmitting information to the surface, the valve 74 or the electrical power modulation then being moved to the surface.
  • a compact arrangement using the method, centered for example on a production head, is developed in order to facilitate the maneuvers of setting up and removing the different elements. It comprises one or more well heads 81 connected to a degassing flask 82 of toroidal shape with a large vertical axis, retained by a ballast base 83 by conventional interlocks 84 making it possible, however, to detect variations in weight or buoyancy of said balloon degasser 82.
  • the degassing flask is equipped with a receptacle 85 making it possible to fix the evacuation motor pump 86, 87, of the liquid effluent.
  • the regulation of the pressure at the well head and, consequently, of the flow rate of the well can be carried out from the surface by a pressure control device placed on the evacuation pipe 88 of the gaseous effluent, the liquid effluent discharge rate being regulated on the basis of level fluctuations in the degassing flask by means of a weight or buoyancy detection cell 89 actuating the variations in power of the engine 87 of the power unit lift pump.
  • All pipe connections tions between the ballast base 83 and the degassing flask 82 are effected by means of sliding joints 90 or flexible pipes. If necessary, the buoyancy fluctuations of the degasser balloon 82 can be damped by straps 91 slowing movements in the water and also contributing to the crushing resistance of the degassing balloon.
  • FIG. 5 is an example of application of the invention to wells which can undergo justifiable production discontinuities, for example, by a poor supply of the well by the producing layer or an excessively high viscosity of the effluent.
  • the displacement of the effluent from the well, from the degassing flask, to the surface is obtained by a gas flush (blow case), the succession of alternating flows and flushes being controlled by the variations in the buoyancy of the flask- degasser operating alternately a drawer for distributing the effluent from the well, the expelled liquid effluent, the gaseous effluent and the flushing gas.
  • the installation therefore includes a production head 101 connected to the variable-buoyancy balloon degasser 102 by a pipe 103 fitted with a drawer 104, a buoyancy balloon 102 with variation varying with the liquid level inside thereof. , whose effluent inlets from the well 103, gas inlet-outlet 105 and liquid outlet 106 are provided with sliding joints 107, or connected by flexible pipes to the fixed parts of the installation.
  • the movements of the degassing flask actuate a lever 108 or any other means causing the translation 104 of the well effluent inlet drawer 104, of the liquid effluent outlet drawer 109, of the gaseous effluent outlet drawer 110, and of the flush gas supply drawer 111.
  • An abnormal lateral movement detector 112 of the degassing flask 102 and a detector 113 of the abnormal position of the lever 108 for controlling the drawers can possibly make it possible to secure the installation.
  • the flushing gas is supplied - by a pipe 144 bringing it from a compression unit 115 located on the surface, close or not to the axis of the well head.
  • the gas used in this process can be the gas associated with the liquid effluent from the well and recovered at 116 and 117 and recycled, as well as gas from other wells or other deposits, or even gas produced at the surface. such as nitrogen or the like. Part of the gas produced can even be consumed to supply energy to the compressors and the elements necessary for the operation of the installation, the excess of this gas being flared in the atmosphere or dispatched.
  • FIG. 6 is an extension of the system described in the previous figure, applicable more particularly to one or more wells for which it is not desired to stop production during the periods of raising the effluent to the treatment and storage installations. It is based on the use of a gas flush as developed in the example in FIG. 5, but implements at least two degassing flasks, one of which will be in the filling sequence while the other will be in hunting sequence, the sequences of the filling and emptying phases of the two degassing tanks being controllable by the same set of pilot drawers.
  • the installation according to the invention may include a plurality of degassing flasks connected to the same well, just as it may include a plurality wells connected to the same pair of degassing flasks.
  • the installation comprises, for example, three inlets from wells 121, 122, 123 joined together by the pipe 124 opening into a drawer 125 connected to the inputs 126 and 127 of the degassing flasks 128 and 129, the flask 128 being chased and the balloon 129 being filled by the wells.
  • the liquid effluent outlets 130 and 131 are connected to a liquid evacuation pipe 133 on the surface by means of a drawer 132.
  • the gaseous effluent outlets 134 and 135 are connected to a surface gas evacuation pipe 136 by means of a drawer 137 and the flush gas inlet pipe 139 is connected to the pipes 134 and 135 by via a drawer 138.
  • Weight variation or buoyancy detection cells 140 and 141 cause the assembly of all the drawers to be operated.
  • the regulation of the flow rate of the wells, as a function of their head pressure, is ensured by a pressure regulation valve placed, for example but not limited to the surface on the pipe 136.
  • the shape given to the degassing flask allows a large heat exchange with the external environment, a large surface area for degassing the effluent, and detectable displacement variations of the upper end of the separator flask under the effect of variations in buoyancy. consequences of variations in the level of the liquid it contains. These variations in displacement are followed by a detector 155 transmitting them to the surface by a cable or an optical fiber 156 in order to modulate the motive power transmitted to the pump 157 by a power cable 158.
  • the gas outlet 159 of the degassing flask 153 is connected by a channel tion 160 partially flexible, on the surface, where a pressure regulating valve makes it possible to adjust the flow rate of the well to the desired value.

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  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Degasification And Air Bubble Elimination (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Fluid-Pressure Circuits (AREA)
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  • Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
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Abstract

A system according to the invention includes a working well head 1 whose producing head is connected by a rigid or flexible pipe to at least one underwater degasifier tank. A pump 4 for lifting the product from the well or wells 1 is regulated by a control valve which responds to the discharge flow of liquids and/or variations in weight and/or buoyancy of the degasifier tank 3. A valve for regulating the flow of product from the well 1 is controlled by a second control means. The second control means may modulate the gas sealing pressure by pinching a stream of gas at some point in the piping in response to the relative buoyancy of said underwater degasification tank. Combinations of the various systems disclosed in the invention make it possible to increase the recovery of desired product fluids from an underwater deposit.

Description

La présente invention concerne un système d'exploitation destiné à initier (c'est-à-dire permettre l'exploitation de puits qui ne produisent pas naturellement) et/ou à moduler la production des puits tout en permettant d'augmenter la récupération des fluides en place dans un gisement, en particulier en mer (offshore).The present invention relates to an operating system intended to initiate (that is to say allow the exploitation of wells which do not produce naturally) and / or to modulate the production of wells while making it possible to increase the recovery of fluids in place in a deposit, especially at sea (offshore).

D'une manière générale, on sait que les gisements d'hydrocarbures, situés en mer, nécessitent, pour leur exploitation, la mise en place d'une liaison, entre le gisement et les installations de transport et de stockage des fluides exploités. Cette liaison est en général composée de puits équipés de têtes de production sous-marines et/ ou aériennes, de canalisation de collecte de l'effluent entre les têtes de production et les installations de séparation et/ou de traitement qui peuvent être de très courte longueur si ces installations sont situées à proximité des têtes de production, des installations de production proprement dites permettant le triage des différentes phases de l'effluent et des moyens d'évacuation vers un stokage du (ou des) produits extraits du gisement. Les moyens précédemment décrits sont généralement, au moins en partie concentrés dans une ou plusieurs structures fixées au fond de la mer, ou sont rassemblés dans les ponts de structures flottantes.In general, it is known that the hydrocarbon deposits located at sea require, for their exploitation, the establishment of a link, between the deposit and the transport and storage facilities for the fluids used. This connection is generally composed of wells equipped with underwater and / or aerial production heads, effluent collection pipe between the production heads and the separation and / or treatment installations which can be very short. length if these installations are located near the production heads, production installations proper allowing the sorting of the different phases of the effluent and means of evacuation towards a storage of (or) products extracted from the deposit. The means described above are generally, at least in part concentrated in one or more structures fixed to the bottom of the sea, or are brought together in the bridges of floating structures.

Selon le débit, la nature de l'effluent et les conditions d'environnement extérieur, ou aboutit souvent à des impasses technologiques qui conduisent à abandonner le développement d'une découverte. Parmi ces impasses technologiques, on peut citer:

  • - L'incapacité d'assurer ou de maintenir des débits de puits permettant de rentabiliser l'exploitation
  • - L'obligation d'abandonner l'exploitation prématurément alors qu'une partie importante des fluides reste en place dans le gisement
  • - L'impossibilité d'assurer l'exploitation normale tout au long de l'année du fait de l'interférence du milieu extérieur.
  • - Enfin, dès lors que la profondeur d'eau devient importante et les conditions d'envir sévères, l'adaptation des technologies existantes conduit à des installations si importantes qu'elles ne sont réservées qu'à l'exploitation de gros gisements, ou si aléatoires qu'elles ne permettent que de les écrémer périodiquement. De toutes façons, la régulation des débits et pressions, et les limitations de ces derniers imposées par le niveau élevé de sécurité requis par ces installations confinées, concourent à les rendre complexes et nécessitent une main-d'oeuvre très qualifiée pour les opérer et les surveiller, même pour des gisements situés dans de faibles profondeurs d'eau.
Depending on the flow, the nature of the effluent and the external environment conditions, or often leads to technological dead ends which lead to abandon the development of a discovery. Among these technological impasses, we can cite:
  • - The inability to ensure or maintain well flow rates to make exploitation profitable
  • - The obligation to abandon exploitation prematurely when a significant part of the fluids remains in place in the deposit
  • - The impossibility of ensuring normal operation throughout the year due to interference from the outside environment.
  • - Finally, as soon as the water depth becomes significant and the environmental conditions are severe, the adaptation of existing technologies leads to facilities so large that they are only used for the exploitation of large deposits, or so random that they only allow them to be periodically skimmed. In any case, the regulation of flow rates and pressures, and the limitations of these imposed by the high level of security required by these confined installations, contribute to making them complex and require a highly qualified workforce to operate and operate them. monitor, even for deposits located in shallow water depths.

Il existe également des gisements situés sous une faible épaisseur de mort-terrains et dont la pression de fond est relativement peu élevée, ceci quelle que soit la profondeur d'eau, et qui mettent en échec partiel ou total la technologie de développement par forages déviés, à partir de têtes de puits regroupées dans un support. Certains gisements sont même situés dans des zones où la surface de la mer est encombrée par la circulation maritime, ou est obstruée partiellement par des objets flottants tels que icebergs, banquise, épaves et bois flottés. Ces configurations associées parfois avec de très mauvaises conditions de visibilité ou de détection, conduisent à une probabilité de collision importante si tout ou partie des installations est localisée dans l'interface air-mer.There are also deposits located under a small thickness of overburden and whose bottom pressure is relatively low, regardless of the water depth, and which partially or totally defeat the development technology by deviated drilling , from well heads grouped in a support. Some deposits are even located in areas where the sea surface is congested by maritime traffic, or is partially obstructed by floating objects such as icebergs, ice floes, wrecks and driftwood. These configurations, sometimes associated with very poor visibility or detection conditions, lead to a significant probability of collision if all or part of the installations are located in the air-sea interface.

Par le brevet FR-A-2 157 733, on connaît un système selon le préambule de la revendication 1. Le séparateur entoure un caisson étanche solidaire d'une embase ancrée sur le fond marin et dans lequel débouchent des conduits reliés au puits soUs-marin. Ledit caisson est surmonté d'une colonne tubulaire verticale flottante dont le canal intérieur communique avec l'intérieur du caisson et sert à loger les moyens d'évacuation du gaz et de la phase liquide. Des régulateurs classiques sont prévus pour contrôler la pression ainsi que le niveau du liquide dans le séparateur.By patent FR-A-2 157 733, a system is known according to the preamble of claim 1. The separator surrounds a sealed box secured to a base anchored on the seabed and into which open conduits connected to the well SOUS- marine. Said box is surmounted by a floating vertical tubular column whose inner channel communicates with the inside of the box and is used to house the means for evacuating the gas and the liquid phase. Conventional regulators are provided to control the pressure as well as the level of the liquid in the separator.

Un tel séparateur est très complexe puisqu'il nécessite l'utilisation d'un caisson étanche. De plus, il impose pour sa réalisation une colonne verticale à flottabilité toujours positive.Such a separator is very complex since it requires the use of a sealed box. In addition, it requires for its realization a vertical column with buoyancy always positive.

L'invention a donc pour but de supprimer les inconvénients des systèmes selon la technique antérieure signalée.The invention therefore aims to eliminate the drawbacks of the systems according to the prior art reported.

Elle propose donc un système d'exploitation constitué par tout ou partie d'un ensemble d'éléments qui, selon les caractéristiques d'un gisement, de son effluent et de leurs variations durant la vie du gisement, aussi bien que des caractéristiques du milieu surplombant le gisement, concourra à:

  • - se dispenser de l'utilisation d'un caisson étanche,
  • - à éviter l'obligation de relier verticalement le séparateur à une installation située au-dessus de la mer, mais à permettre au contraire de raccorder le séparateur à des installations aériennes situées à une très grande distance, par exemple sur la côte;
  • - permettre d'abaisser la pression en tête des puits sous-marins jusqu'à une pression très basse, voire voisine de la pression atmosphérique quelle que soit la profondeur de la mer à l'aplomb du gisement et ainsi augmenter la récupération des fluides en place dans le gisement;
  • - permettre d'optimiser la pression en tête et le débit de chaque puits en fonction des caractéristiques du gisement au droit de chacun d'eux et des conditions économiques;
  • - autoriser la mise en production de puits ou de gisements situés en mer très profonde;
  • - ne prendre en compte que dans une faible mesure les aléas de production générés par les conditions de surface à l'aplomb du gisement;
  • - simplifier les opérations de production, tout en améliorant les conditions de sécurité liées à ces opérations;
  • - et plus généralement enfin, permettre l'exploitation de gisements qui seraient inexploitables par des méthodes classiques pour des raisons économiques ou technologiques.
It therefore proposes an operating system consisting of all or part of a set of elements which, depending on the characteristics of a deposit, its effluent and their variations during the life of the deposit, as well as characteristics of the environment overlooking the deposit, will contribute to:
  • - dispense with the use of a waterproof case,
  • - to avoid the obligation to vertically connect the separator to an installation located above the sea, but on the contrary to allow the separator to be connected to aerial installations located at a very great distance, for example on the coast;
  • - allow the pressure at the head of the submarine wells to be lowered to a very low pressure, or even close to atmospheric pressure whatever the depth of the sea below the deposit and thus increase the recovery of fluids by place in the deposit;
  • - allow to optimize the head pressure and the flow rate of each well according to the characteristics of the deposit at the right of each of them and the economic conditions;
  • - authorize the production of wells or deposits located in very deep sea;
  • - take into account only to a small extent the vagaries of production generated by the surface conditions above the deposit;
  • - simplify production operations, while improving the safety conditions linked to these operations;
  • - and more generally, allow the exploitation of deposits that would be unexploited tables by conventional methods for economic or technological reasons.

Le système selon l'invention est conforme à la partie caractérisante de la revendication 1.The system according to the invention conforms to the characterizing part of claim 1.

Le ballon dégazeur présente la propriété de flotter dans l'eau à partir du moment où il est partiellement ou totalement plein d'air ou de gaz et de couler s'il est partiellement ou totalement plein de liquides. En tout état de cause, il est conçu de manière à subir des variations de poids détectables quand le niveau de liquide fluctue à l'intérieur de celui-ci. En outre, sa fixation au fond de la mer et aux canalisations qui lui sont raccordées devront permettre un débattement sensible ou une variation de contraintes actionnant directement ou indirectement des organes permettant de réguler le débit de l'effluent et/ou le débit de fluide moteur et/ou l'intensité ou le voltage du courant électrique alimentant l'organe de relevage de l'effluent liquide depuis la sortie du ballon-dégazeur jusqu'aux installations de surface situées à l'aplomb dudit ballon ou à distance.The degassing flask has the property of floating in water as soon as it is partially or completely full of air or gas and of sinking if it is partially or completely full of liquids. In any event, it is designed so as to undergo detectable variations in weight when the liquid level fluctuates inside it. In addition, its attachment to the bottom of the sea and to the pipes which are connected to it must allow significant displacement or a variation of stresses actuating directly or indirectly members making it possible to regulate the flow of the effluent and / or the flow of working fluid and / or the intensity or the voltage of the electric current supplying the device for lifting the liquid effluent from the outlet of the degassing flask to the surface installations located directly above or at a distance from said flask.

La sortie de gaz du ballon-dégazeur est reliée à la surface par une canalisation flexible ou rigide équipée, à son extrémité supérieure, d'une vanne de contrôle de pression ou d'un clapet taré réglable permettant de faire varier la consigne de pression à l'intérieur du ballon-dégazeur depuis la pression initiale en tête de production jusqu'à une pression voisine de la pression atmosphérique au niveau du ballon-dégazeur, compte tenu de la densité de l'effluent gazeux dans la susdite canalisation. Le point d'émergence de la canalisation d'échappement de gaz pourra être différent du point d'émergence de la sortie de la canalisation d'effluent liquide.The gas outlet of the degassing flask is connected to the surface by a flexible or rigid pipe fitted, at its upper end, with a pressure control valve or an adjustable calibrated valve allowing the pressure set point to be varied the interior of the degassing flask from the initial pressure at the head of production to a pressure close to atmospheric pressure at the level of the degassing flask, taking into account the density of the gaseous effluent in the above-mentioned pipeline. The point of emergence of the gas exhaust pipe may be different from the point of emergence of the outlet of the liquid effluent pipe.

La sortie d'effluent liquide du ballon-dégazeur est donc reliée à un organe de relevage constitué par exemple d'une pompe centrifuge à un ou plusieurs étages ou d'une pompe alternative à déplacement positif, entrainée par moteur électrique à vitesse variable ou non, ou par moteur hydraulique. Ce moteur hydraulique peut être constitué par exemple d'une turbine dont le fluide moteur pourra être de l'effluent partiellement ou totalement traité en surface et repompé jusqu'au moteur hydraulique de la pompe de relevage de l'effluent, par une canalisation flexible ou rigide. A la sortie du moteur hydraulique de fond le fluide moteur peut être remélangé à l'effluent liquide sortant de la pompe de relevage ou recirculé jusqu'en surface par une canalisation séparée.The liquid effluent outlet of the degassing flask is therefore connected to a lifting member consisting for example of a centrifugal pump with one or more stages or of a positive displacement alternative pump, driven by electric motor at variable speed or not , or by hydraulic motor. This hydraulic motor may consist, for example, of a turbine, the working fluid of which may be effluent partially or totally treated at the surface and pumped back to the hydraulic motor of the effluent lifting pump, by a flexible pipe or rigid. At the outlet of the downhole hydraulic motor, the working fluid can be remixed with the liquid effluent leaving the lift pump or recirculated to the surface by a separate pipe.

Dans tous les cas, ce procédé peut être conjugué, selon le problème à résoudre, avec l'injection dans le puits ou en tête de celui-ci, d'agents chimiques, de fluides calloporteurs ou d'hydrocarbures légers ayant pour but de favoriser l'écoulement de l'effluent et de diminuer sa densité, et plus généralement d'améliorer la productivité des puits.In all cases, this process can be combined, depending on the problem to be solved, with the injection into the well or at the head of it, of chemical agents, heat-carrying fluids or light hydrocarbons intended to promote the flow of the effluent and to decrease its density, and more generally to improve the productivity of the wells.

On obtient bien ainsi un procédé simple permettant d'abaisser la pression en tête de puits à une valeur très basse, quelle que soit la profondeur d'eau dans laquelle baigne la susdite tête de puits, et dont le contrôle pourra être effectué depuis la surface, même si la distance, entre la tête de puits et ce point de contrôle, est grande. Le débit de l'effluent du puits, fonction de la susdite pression en tête, est évacué par un moyen de relevage dont le débit sera auto-piloté par la variation de flottabilité du ballon-dégazeur séparant les phases liquide et gazeuse de l'effluent. La capacité d'évacuation dudit moyen de relevage pourra être maximum lorsque le ballon-dégazeur est plein de liquides.A simple process is thus obtained which makes it possible to lower the pressure at the wellhead to a very low value, whatever the depth of water in which the aforementioned wellhead is immersed, and the control of which can be carried out from the surface , even if the distance between the wellhead and this control point is great. The flow rate of the effluent from the well, as a function of the above head pressure, is discharged by a lifting means, the flow rate of which will be self-controlled by the variation in buoyancy of the degassing flask separating the liquid and gaseous phases of the effluent. . The evacuation capacity of said lifting means may be maximum when the degassing flask is full of liquids.

Le ballon-dégazeur ainsi que tous les éléilents concourant à ses liaisons et à son fonctionnement seront calculés pour résister au moins à la pression extérieure correspondant à la profondeur à laquelle ils seront installés, d'une part, et d'autre part, calculés pour résister à la pression intérieure pouvant régner dans ceux-ci, compte tenu de la pression extérieure qu'ils subiront au lieu de leur installation ou pendant les manoeuvres de mise en place ou de relevage.The flask degasser and all the elei ents contributing to its connections and operation will be designed to withstand at least the outer pressure corresponding to the depth to which they will be installed on the one hand, and on the other hand, calculated to withstand the internal pressure that may prevail in them, taking into account the external pressure they will undergo at the place of their installation or during the setting up or lifting operations.

Le ballon-dégazeur et tout ou partie des éléments concourant à son fonctionnement, en particulier le moyen de pompage de la partie liquide de l'effluent, pourront être relevables depuis la surface, simultanément ou indépendamment les uns des autres pour contrôle entretien ou échange. Leur fixation et les étanchéités pourront être réalisées par filetages, colliers boulonnés, systèmes à bayonnettes, chiens d'ancrage, garnitures en chevrons et blocs élastiques ou plastiques (packer) de types semblables à ceux utilisés dans les puits d'exploitation ou autres.The degassing flask and all or part of the elements contributing to its operation, in particular the means for pumping the liquid part of the effluent, may be liftable from the surface, simultaneously or independently of each other for maintenance or exchange control. They can be fixed and sealed using threads, bolted collars, bayonet systems, anchor dogs, herringbone fittings and elastic or plastic blocks (packers) of types similar to those used in mining or other wells.

Des modes de réalisations de l'invention seront décrit ci-après, à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, avec référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • - La figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'une première installation utilisant le système d'exploitation selon un premier exemple de réalisation et dans lequel toutes les canalisations de raccordement aboutissent en surface en un même lieu.
  • - La figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'une deuxième installation bénéficiant d'un amortissement des mouvements du ballon-séparateur et dans laquelle les raccordements en surface aboutissent en deux lieux différents, le fluide moteur circulant dans des canalisations séparées de celles utilisées pour transporter l'effluent du puits.
  • - La figure 3 est une représentation schématique d'une troisième installation dans laquelle le ballon-séparateur est articulé sur son support par une charnière d'axe horizontal, les débattements du ballon-séparateur étant autorisés par la flexibilité de ses raccordements.
  • - La figure 4 est une représentation schématique d'une quatrième installation dans laquelle tous les éléments sont rassemblés autour d'un axe vertical qui peut être celui de la tête de puits.
  • - La figure 5 est une représentation schématique d'une cinquième installation dans laquelle le fluide moteur de relevage des liquides produits, est du gaz, et dont la régulation est effectuée par un système à tiroir de distribution.
  • - La figure 6 est une représentation schématique d'une sixième installation dont le principe est semblable à celui utilisé dans la cinquième installation mais autorisant le débit continu du ou des puits qui y sont raccordés.
  • - La figure 7 est une représentation schématique d'une septième installation dans laquelle le ballon-dégazeur est fixé sur l'embase lest, mais qui peut subir des déformations élastiques sous l'effet des variations de flottabilité et qui est de forme telle qu'elle permette une large surface d'échange afin de refroidir l'effluent du puits.
Embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first installation using the operating system according to a first embodiment and in which all the connecting pipes terminate at the surface in one place.
  • - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a second installation benefiting from a damping of the movements of the separator balloon and in which the surface connections terminate in two different places, the working fluid circulating in pipes separated from those used to transport effluent from the well.
  • - Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a third installation in which the separator balloon is articulated on its support by a hinge with a horizontal axis, the deflections of the separator balloon being authorized by the flexibility of its connections.
  • - Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a fourth installation in which all the elements are gathered around a vertical axis which may be that of the wellhead.
  • - Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a fifth installation in which the working fluid for lifting the liquids produced is gas, and the regulation of which is effected by a distribution slide system.
  • - Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a sixth installation whose principle is similar to that used in the fifth installation but allowing the continuous flow of the well or wells connected to it.
  • - Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a seventh installation in which the degassing flask is fixed on the ballast base, but which can undergo elastic deformations under the effect of variations in buoyancy and which is of form such that it allows a large exchange surface in order to cool the effluent from the well.

Avec référence à la figure 1, l'installation comporte un (ou plusieurs) puits de production 1 relié à un ballon-dégazeur 3 par une canalisation partiellement flexible équipée, côté tête de production sous-marine, d'une vanne de sectionnement de sécurité 2. Le ballon-dégazeur 3, lui-même sous-marin, a une flottabilité variant avec le niveau liquide à l'intérieur de celui-ci, et peut se translater verticalement sur des guidages équipés de butées hautes et basses 9. La sortie des liquides 27 du ballon-dégazeur 3, elle aussi partiellement, flexible est reliée à l'aspiration d'une pompe 4 entrainée par moteur hydraulique 5. Le fluide moteur amené par une canalisation 14 est remélangé à la sortie du moteur 5 avec l'effluent liquide provenant du ballon-dégazeur 3 à la sortie de la pompe de relevage 4 et le tout est acheminé, à l'entrée d'une installation de séparation traitement située en surface et représentée par un ballon-séparateur 19, par une canalisation 13. Le fluide moteur est une partie du débit d'effluent recyclé après séparation traitement et dont la pression sera relevée par une pompe 16, l'excédent le liquide représentant la production étant évacué par une canalisation 24 équipée d'une vanne de régulation 15 pilotée, par exemple par le détecteur de niveau 17 dans le ballon-séparateur 19. La variation de flottabilité ou les mouvements verticaux du ballon-dégazeur 3 pilotent directement ou indirectement, par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne de régulation 6, le débit de liquide moteur dans le moteur hydraulique 5 entrainant la pompe de relevage 4.With reference to FIG. 1, the installation comprises one (or more) production wells 1 connected to a degassing flask 3 by a partially flexible pipe fitted, on the submarine production head side, with a safety shut-off valve. 2. The degassing balloon 3, itself submarine, has a buoyancy varying with the liquid level inside it, and can translate vertically on guides fitted with high and low stops 9. The outlet liquids 27 from the degassing flask 3, which is also partially flexible, is connected to the suction of a pump 4 driven by hydraulic motor 5. The working fluid supplied by a pipe 14 is remixed at the outlet of the engine 5 with the liquid effluent from the degassing flask 3 at the outlet of the lifting pump 4 and the whole is conveyed, to the inlet of a treatment separation installation located on the surface and represented by a separating flask 19, by a pipe 13 The working fluid is one per tie of the flow of recycled effluent after separation from treatment and the pressure of which will be raised by a pump 16, the excess liquid representing production being evacuated by a pipe 24 equipped with a control valve 15 controlled, for example by the detector level 17 in the separator balloon 19. The variation in buoyancy or the vertical movements of the degassing balloon 3 directly or indirectly control, via a regulating valve 6, the flow of working liquid in the hydraulic motor 5 driving the lift pump 4.

La sortie gaz 28 du ballon-dégazeur 3, elle même partiellement flexible, est raccordée à l'atmosphère ou a toute installation de récupération de l'effluent gazeux par une canalisation 12, 21 équipée d'une vanne de régulation de pression 11 pilotée par un détecteur de pression amont 18, ou d'un clapet taré équivalent.The gas outlet 28 of the degassing flask 3, itself partially flexible, is connected to the atmosphere or to any installation for recovering the gaseous effluent by a pipe 12, 21 equipped with a pressure regulation valve 11 controlled by an upstream pressure detector 18, or an equivalent calibrated valve.

Une cellule de pesée 8, ou un dispositif équivalent tel que jauges de contraintes, provoque la fermeture par exemple mais non limitativement, de la vanne de sécurité 2 et de la vanne de régulation de fluide moteur 6 en cas de conditions normales de fonctionnement ou de débattements latéraux anormaux du ballon-dégazeur 3 sous l'effet par exemple de tractions d'ancres, filets de pêche, ou autre, isolant ainsi par exemple le puits de production et la canalisation de fluide moteur sous pression.A load cell 8, or an equivalent device such as strain gauges, causes the closure, for example but not limited to, of the safety valve 2 and of the engine fluid control valve 6 in the event of normal operating conditions or abnormal lateral deflections of the degassing balloon 3 under the effect for example of traction of anchors, fishing nets, or the like, thus isolating for example the production well and the pipeline of pressurized working fluid.

La partie de l'installation de production située en surface peut être contenue dans les ponts 22 supportés par une structure métallique (jacket) ou autre, dépassant le niveau de la mer 23, tel que représenté, ou dans tout autre type de support fixe ou flottant, dépassant ou non le niveau de la mer, voire même située à terre.The part of the production installation located on the surface may be contained in the bridges 22 supported by a metal structure (jacket) or other, exceeding the sea level 23, as shown, or in any other type of fixed support or floating, whether or not above sea level, or even ashore.

Le ballon-dégazeur 3, l'ensemble moto-pompe de fond 4, 5, et leurs accessoires, sont maintenus sur le fond de la mer par une structure lest 7 ou par tout autre moyen propre à supporter le poids de l'ensemble et les différences de flottabilité dudit ballon-dégazeur, cette structure pouvant éventuellement faire partie de la structure de la tête du puits de production ou y être articulée de façon à faciliter les opérations de mise en place et de relevage éventuelles.The degassing flask 3, the bottom motor-pump assembly 4, 5, and their accessories, are held on the sea bottom by a ballast structure 7 or by any other means suitable for supporting the weight of the assembly and the differences in buoyancy of said degassing flask, this structure possibly being part of the structure of the head of the production well or being articulated therein so as to facilitate the operations of installation and possible lifting.

A la condition que des vannes de sectionnement ou des clapets soient placées sur les différentes canalisations de liaison à l'ensemble moto-pompe 4, 5 et non représentées pour des raisons de clarté, le susdit ensemble moto-pompe peut constituer un sous-ensemble relevable pour entretien, échange, ancré par des moyens classiques 25 dans un réceptacle 26.On condition that sectioning valves or valves are placed on the various pipes connecting to the motor-pump assembly 4, 5 and not shown for reasons of clarity, the above motor-pump assembly may constitute a sub-assembly liftable for maintenance, exchange, anchored by conventional means 25 in a receptacle 26.

On obtient ainsi un procédé de production simple, et de grande souplesse de fonctionnement dont les parties pouvant subir une usure rapide peuvent être échangées durant la vie du gisement et caractérisé principalement par les avantages suivants:

  • 1 - Si, en début de vie, le puits dispose d'une pression suffisante permettant d'atteindre les installations de surface au débit souhaité, le groupe moto-pompe 4, 5 ne sera pas installé, et sera remplacé par un simple bouchon 25, le groupe moto-pompe étant descendu ultérieurement dès lors que le débit naturel du puits ne sera plus satisfaisant.
  • 2 - Le débit du puits, fonction de sa pression en tête, aura sa régulation assurée par une vanne 11 localisée en surface permettant tous les ajustements souhaitables y compris, permettant d'abaisser la pression en tête de puits sous-marine jusqu'à une valeur voisine de la pression atmos- phèrique régnant à la profondeur de la tête du puits, mais compte-tenu de la densité du gaz séparé dans le ballon 3.
  • 3 - La régulation du débit d'évacuation est autonome et assurée par la flottabilité relative du ballon dégazeur 3.
  • 4 - Ce procédé permet l'exploitation de gisements très oblongs et/ou également situés sous une faible épaisseur de mort-terrains difficilement exploitables ou non rentables par l'utilisation de procédés classiques.
  • 5 - Le moteur 5 de la pompe de relevage 4 peut être électrique, la détection de ftottabitité du ballon-dégazeur 3 actionnant alors une variation d'intensité ou de voltage du courant d'alimentation du moteur 5, la canalisation 14 étant remplacée par un câble d'alimentation électrique relié en surface à un générateur. En outre la susdite détection de flottabilité peut être transformée en modulation électrique ou autre et transmise en surface, par câble ou fibre optique, permettant de moduler en surface la puissance transmise au moteur. Finalement, deux types de détection de flottabilité peuvent être installés simultanément, l'un en secours de l'autre.
A simple production process is thus obtained, with great operating flexibility, the parts of which can undergo rapid wear can be exchanged during the life of the deposit and characterized mainly by the following advantages:
  • 1 - If, at the start of life, the well has sufficient pressure to reach the surface installations at the desired flow rate, the motor-pump unit 4, 5 will not be installed, and will be replaced by a simple plug 25 , the pump unit being lowered later when the natural flow of the well will no longer be satisfactory.
  • 2 - The flow rate of the well, as a function of its pressure at the head, will have its regulation ensured by a valve 11 located on the surface allowing all the desirable adjustments including, making it possible to lower the pressure at the head of the subsea well up to a value close to the atmospheric pressure prevailing at the depth of the well head, but taking into account the density of the gas separated in the balloon 3.
  • 3 - The regulation of the evacuation rate is autonomous and ensured by the relative buoyancy of the degassing flask 3.
  • 4 - This process allows the exploitation of very oblong deposits and / or also located under a small thickness of overburden difficult to exploit or unprofitable by the use of conventional processes.
  • 5 - The motor 5 of the lifting pump 4 can be electric, the detection of the ftottability of the degassing balloon 3 then actuating a variation in intensity or voltage of the supply current of the motor 5, the line 14 being replaced by a electrical power cable connected to the surface of a generator. In addition, the above-mentioned buoyancy detection can be transformed into electrical or other modulation and transmitted to the surface, by cable or optical fiber, allowing the power transmitted to the surface to be modulated. engine. Finally, two types of buoyancy detection can be installed simultaneously, one to back up the other.

Avec référence à la figure 2, le système selon l'invention fait appel:

  • A) à un ensemble de circulation de l'effluent constitué principalement:
    • - d'un ou plusieurs puits 31 raccordé au ballon-dégazeur 32 par au moins une canalisation 33 équipée de vanne de sectionnement de sécurité 34 redoublée par un dispositif 35 pinçant la veine fluide et d'un joint coulissant 36 de course suffisante pour permettre les débattements verticaux du ballon-dégazeur,
    • ­ du ballon-dégazeur 32 équipé d'une sortie de gaz 37 raccordée en surface par une canalisation 38 qui peut être rigide, équipée d'un joint coulissant 39 et,
    • - d'une sortie d'effluent liquide 40, équipée d'un joint coulissant 43 raccordé à l'aspiration d'un ensemble moto-pompe hydraulique 41, 42 dont le refoulement débouche dans une canalisation d'évacuation 57,
  • B) - à un ensemble moteur hydraulique, comprenant, en surface, un réservoir tampon de fluide hydraulique 44 alimentant une pompe 45 éventuellement entraînée par un moteur 46 utilisant le gaz produit récupéré et traité en 47 par des moyens classiques et une canalisation 48 d'amenée du fluide hydraulique à l'entrée 49 du moteur hydraulique 42 de la pompe de fond, au travers d'une vanne 50 pinçant la veine de fluide hydraulique sous l'effet des variations de flottabilité du ballon-dégazeur 32.
With reference to FIG. 2, the system according to the invention uses:
  • A) to an effluent circulation unit consisting mainly:
    • - one or more wells 31 connected to the degassing flask 32 by at least one pipe 33 fitted with a safety shut-off valve 34 redoubled by a device 35 pinching the fluid stream and a sliding joint 36 of sufficient stroke to allow the vertical deflection of the degassing flask,
    • of the degassing flask 32 equipped with a gas outlet 37 connected to the surface by a pipe 38 which may be rigid, equipped with a sliding joint 39 and,
    • a liquid effluent outlet 40, equipped with a sliding seal 43 connected to the suction of a hydraulic motor-pump assembly 41, 42 whose discharge opens into a discharge pipe 57,
  • B) - a hydraulic motor assembly, comprising, on the surface, a hydraulic fluid buffer tank 44 supplying a pump 45 possibly driven by a motor 46 using the product gas recovered and treated at 47 by conventional means and a pipe 48 of supply of hydraulic fluid to the inlet 49 of the hydraulic motor 42 of the downhole pump, through a valve 50 pinching the stream of hydraulic fluid under the effect of the buoyancy variations of the degassing flask 32.

Après passage au travers du moteur hydraulique 42, le fluide moteur est réacheminé en surface, au réservoir tampon 44 par la canalisation 51. Le ballon-dégazeur 32 peut coulisser verticalement dans une jupe 52 limitant les débattements dudit ballon-dégazeur par des butées hautes et basses 53, 54. Le fluide contenu dans cette jupe peut s'en échapper ou y rentrer par exemple par un orifice 55, amortissant ainsi les mouvements verticaux du ballon-dégazeur 32. L'ensemble du dispositif repose et est ancré sur le fond de la mer par une embase lest 56 pouvant servir également de plaque de base pour la/ou les têtes de puits 31. Le ballon-dégazeur 32 ainsi que la moto-pompe de fond peuvent être relevés depuis la surface pour réparation, entretien et échange.After passing through the hydraulic motor 42, the working fluid is redirected to the surface, to the buffer tank 44 by the pipe 51. The degassing flask 32 can slide vertically in a skirt 52 limiting the deflections of said degassing flask by high stops and low 53, 54. The fluid contained in this skirt can escape or re-enter it for example by an orifice 55, thus damping the vertical movements of the degasser balloon 32. The entire device rests and is anchored on the bottom of the sea by a ballast base 56 which can also serve as a base plate for the well head (s) 31. The degassing flask 32 as well as the downhole motor pump can be raised from the surface for repair, maintenance and exchange.

L'ensemble d'injection de fluide moteur, de récupération et mise à l'atmosphère éventuelle de l'effluent gazeux, peut être localisé dans une structure support située à proximité ou à distance du/ou des puits, alors que la canalisation d'évacuation de l'effluent liquide 57 peut acheminer ce dernier dans une installation de traitement stockage située en un autre lieu, voire même à terre.The assembly for injecting working fluid, for recovering and possibly venting the gaseous effluent, can be located in a support structure located near or at a distance from / or the wells, while the pipe for evacuation of the liquid effluent 57 can convey the latter to a storage treatment installation located elsewhere, or even ashore.

Avec référence à la figure 3 un autre arrangement du système selon l'invention est développé. La/ou les têtes de production sous-marine 61 est reliée au ballon-dégazeur 62 par une canalisation flexible 63 équipée d'une vanne de sectionnement de sécurité 64. Le ballon-dégazeur 62 est fixé à une embase lest 65 par une charnière 66 d'axe sensiblement horizontal, l'axe principal du ballon-dégazeur étant incliné sur l'horizontale de façon à pouvoir créer une flottabilité sensiblement plus importante de l'extrémité du ballon-dégazeur opposée à celle équipée de la susdite charnière. Le ballon-dégazeur 62 comporte une canalisation flexible 67 d'évacuation du gaz jusqu'en surface équipée d'une vanne 68 contrôlant la pression dans le ballon-dégazeur et accessoirement, si nécessaire, d'une vanne 69 permettant de prélever ou récupérer le gaz aux fins de l'utiliser comme carburant, fluide moteur ou de le commercialiser. La sortie liquide 70 du ballon-dégazeur 62 est raccordée à un groupe moto-pompe 71, 72 par une canalisation flexible. L'alimentation 73 en fluide moteur du groupe moto-pompe est régulée, selon le niveau dans le ballon-dégazeur 62 par une vanne 74 pilotée par une cellule de détection 75 des variations de flottabilité dudit ballon-dégazeur 62. Accessoirement la cellule de détection 75 peut actionner la vanne de sectionnement de sécurité 64 ou toute autre vanne de sécurité jugée nécessaire.With reference to FIG. 3, another arrangement of the system according to the invention is developed. The submarine production head (s) 61 is connected to the degassing flask 62 by a flexible pipe 63 fitted with a safety shut-off valve 64. The degassing flask 62 is fixed to a ballast base 65 by a hinge 66 having a substantially horizontal axis, the main axis of the degasser balloon being inclined to the horizontal so as to be able to create a substantially greater buoyancy at the end of the degasser balloon opposite to that equipped with the above hinge. The degassing flask 62 has a flexible pipe 67 for evacuating the gas to the surface equipped with a valve 68 controlling the pressure in the degassing flask and, if necessary, a valve 69 allowing the sample to be taken or recovered. gas for the purpose of using it as fuel, engine fluid or for marketing it. The liquid outlet 70 of the degassing flask 62 is connected to a motor-pump unit 71, 72 by a flexible pipe. The supply 73 of motor fluid to the motor-pump unit is regulated, depending on the level in the degassing flask 62 by a valve 74 controlled by a detection cell 75 of the variations in buoyancy of said degassing flask 62. Incidentally the detection cell 75 can actuate the safety shut-off valve 64 or any other safety valve deemed necessary.

Dans l'éventualité où le moteur 72 du groupe moto-pompe serait électrique, la canalisation 73 sera remplacée par un câble électrique relié en surface à un générateur. Dans tous les cas, la cellule de détection de poids ou de flottabilité 75 peut être équipée de câble ou de fibre de transmission d'information jusqu'en surface, la vanne 74 ou la modulation de puissance électrique étant alors déplacée en surface.In the event that the motor 72 of the motor-pump unit is electric, the pipe 73 will be replaced by an electric cable connected on the surface to a generator. In all cases, the weight or buoyancy detection cell 75 can be equipped with cable or fiber for transmitting information to the surface, the valve 74 or the electrical power modulation then being moved to the surface.

On notera que dans l'exemple précédemment décrit, il serait possible d'utiliser au lieu de la charnière 66 une structure élastiquement déformable pouvant à la limite constituer le support du ballon-dégazeur 62.It will be noted that in the example described above, it would be possible to use, instead of the hinge 66, an elastically deformable structure which can, at the limit, constitute the support for the degassing flask 62.

Avec référence à la figure 4, un arrangement compact, utilisant le procédé, centré par exemple sur une tête de production, est développé dans le but de faciliter les manoeuvres de mise en place et retrait des différents éléments. Il comporte une ou plusieurs têtes de puits 81 raccordée à un ballon-dégazeur 82 de forme torique de grand axe vertical, retenu par une embase lest 83 par des verrouillages classiques 84 permettant toutefois, de détecter les variations de poids ou de flottabilité dudit ballon-dégazeur 82. Dans son évidement intérieur, le ballon-dégazeur est équipé d'un réceptacle 85 permettant de fixer la moto-pompe d'évacuation 86, 87, de l'effluent liquide.With reference to FIG. 4, a compact arrangement, using the method, centered for example on a production head, is developed in order to facilitate the maneuvers of setting up and removing the different elements. It comprises one or more well heads 81 connected to a degassing flask 82 of toroidal shape with a large vertical axis, retained by a ballast base 83 by conventional interlocks 84 making it possible, however, to detect variations in weight or buoyancy of said balloon degasser 82. In its interior recess, the degassing flask is equipped with a receptacle 85 making it possible to fix the evacuation motor pump 86, 87, of the liquid effluent.

Comme dans les exemples précédents la régulation de pression en tête de puits et, par conséquent, du débit du puits peut être effectuée depuis la surface par un dispositif de contrôle de pression placé sur la canalisation d'évacuation 88 de l'effluent gazeux, le débit d'évacuation de l'effluent liquide étant régulé à partir des fluctuations de niveau dans le ballon-dégazeur par l'intermédiaire d'une cellule de détection de poids ou de flottabilité 89 actionnant les variations de puissance du moteur 87 du groupe moto-pompe de relevage. Tous les raccordements de canalisations entre l'embase lest 83 et le ballon-dégazeur 82 sont effectués par l'intermédiaire de joints coulissants 90 ou de canalisations flexibles. Si nécessaire, les fluctuations de flottabilité du ballon-dégazeur 82 peuvent être amorties par des cerclages 91 freinant les mouvements dans l'eau et aussi participant à la résistance à l'écrasement du ballon-dégazeur.As in the previous examples, the regulation of the pressure at the well head and, consequently, of the flow rate of the well can be carried out from the surface by a pressure control device placed on the evacuation pipe 88 of the gaseous effluent, the liquid effluent discharge rate being regulated on the basis of level fluctuations in the degassing flask by means of a weight or buoyancy detection cell 89 actuating the variations in power of the engine 87 of the power unit lift pump. All pipe connections tions between the ballast base 83 and the degassing flask 82 are effected by means of sliding joints 90 or flexible pipes. If necessary, the buoyancy fluctuations of the degasser balloon 82 can be damped by straps 91 slowing movements in the water and also contributing to the crushing resistance of the degassing balloon.

La figure 5 est un exemple d'application de l'invention à des puits pouvant subir des discontinuités de production justifiables, par exemple, par une mauvaise alimentation du puits par la couche productrice ou une viscosité trop élevée de l'effluent. Le déplacement de l'effluent du puits, depuis le ballon-dégazeur, jusqu'en surface est obtenu par une chasse à gaz (blow case), la succession des alternances de débits et de chasses étant commandée par les variations de flottabilité du ballon-dégazeur opérant alternativement un tiroir de distribution de l'effluent du puits, de l'effluent liquide chassé, de l'effluent gazeux et du gaz de chasse. L'installation comporte donc une tête de production 101 reliée au ballon-dégazeur à flottabilité variable 102 par une canalisation 103 équipée d'un tiroir 104, un ballon-dégazeur 102 à flottabilité variant avec le niveau liquide à l'intérieur de celui-ci, dont les entrées effluent du puits 103, sortie-entrée gaz 105 et sortie liquide 106 sont munies de joints coulissants 107, ou raccordées par canalisations flexibles aux parties fixes de l'installation. Les mouvements du ballon-dégazeur actionnent un levier 108 ou tout autre moyen provoquant la translation du tiroir 104 d'entrée d'effluent du puits, du tiroir 109 de sortie d'effluent liquide, du tiroir 110 de sortie d'effluent gazeux, et du tiroir 111 d'alimentation en gaz de chasse.FIG. 5 is an example of application of the invention to wells which can undergo justifiable production discontinuities, for example, by a poor supply of the well by the producing layer or an excessively high viscosity of the effluent. The displacement of the effluent from the well, from the degassing flask, to the surface is obtained by a gas flush (blow case), the succession of alternating flows and flushes being controlled by the variations in the buoyancy of the flask- degasser operating alternately a drawer for distributing the effluent from the well, the expelled liquid effluent, the gaseous effluent and the flushing gas. The installation therefore includes a production head 101 connected to the variable-buoyancy balloon degasser 102 by a pipe 103 fitted with a drawer 104, a buoyancy balloon 102 with variation varying with the liquid level inside thereof. , whose effluent inlets from the well 103, gas inlet-outlet 105 and liquid outlet 106 are provided with sliding joints 107, or connected by flexible pipes to the fixed parts of the installation. The movements of the degassing flask actuate a lever 108 or any other means causing the translation 104 of the well effluent inlet drawer 104, of the liquid effluent outlet drawer 109, of the gaseous effluent outlet drawer 110, and of the flush gas supply drawer 111.

Un détecteur de mouvements latéraux anormaux 112 du ballon-dégazeur 102 et un détecteur 113 de position anormale du levier 108 de commande des tiroirs peuvent éventuellement permettre d'assurer la mise en sécurité de l'installation.An abnormal lateral movement detector 112 of the degassing flask 102 and a detector 113 of the abnormal position of the lever 108 for controlling the drawers can possibly make it possible to secure the installation.

L'alimentation en gaz de chasse est effectuée-- - par une canalisation 144 amenant celui-ci depuis une unité de compression 115 située en surface, à proximité ou non de l'axe de la tête de puits. Le gaz utilisé dans ce procédé peut être le gaz associé à l'effluent liquide du puits et récupéré en 116 et 117 et recyclé, aussi bien que du gaz provenant d'autres puits ou d'autres gisements, voire même du gaz fabriqué en surface tel que de l'azote ou autre. Une partie du gaz produit peut même être consommée pour alimenter en énergie les compresseurs et les éléments nécessaires au fonctionnement de l'installation, l'excédent ce gaz étant torché à l'atmosphère ou expédié.The flushing gas is supplied - by a pipe 144 bringing it from a compression unit 115 located on the surface, close or not to the axis of the well head. The gas used in this process can be the gas associated with the liquid effluent from the well and recovered at 116 and 117 and recycled, as well as gas from other wells or other deposits, or even gas produced at the surface. such as nitrogen or the like. Part of the gas produced can even be consumed to supply energy to the compressors and the elements necessary for the operation of the installation, the excess of this gas being flared in the atmosphere or dispatched.

La figure 6 est une extension du système décrit dans la figure précédente, applicable plus particulièrement à un ou plusieurs puits dont on ne désire pas arrêter la production pendant les périodes de relevage de l'effluent jusqu'aux installations de traitement et de stockage. Elle est basée sur l'utilisation d'une chasse au gaz comme développé dans l'exemple de la figure 5, mais met en oeuvre au moins deux ballons-dégazeurs dont l'un sera en séquence de remplissage pendant que l'autre sera en séquence de chasse, les séquences des phases remplissage et vidange des deux ballons-dégazeurs pouvant être commandées par un même ensemble de tiroirs de pilotage.FIG. 6 is an extension of the system described in the previous figure, applicable more particularly to one or more wells for which it is not desired to stop production during the periods of raising the effluent to the treatment and storage installations. It is based on the use of a gas flush as developed in the example in FIG. 5, but implements at least two degassing flasks, one of which will be in the filling sequence while the other will be in hunting sequence, the sequences of the filling and emptying phases of the two degassing tanks being controllable by the same set of pilot drawers.

Selon le type du gisement, les qualités de l'effluent et la régularité du débit à assurer, l'installation selon l'invention peut comporter une pluralité de ballons-dégazeurs reliés à un même puits, de même qu'elle peut comporter une pluralité de puits raccordés à un même couple de ballons-dégazeurs.Depending on the type of deposit, the qualities of the effluent and the regularity of the flow to be ensured, the installation according to the invention may include a plurality of degassing flasks connected to the same well, just as it may include a plurality wells connected to the same pair of degassing flasks.

Dans la représentation de la figure 6, l'installation comporte par exemple trois arrivées de puits 121, 122, 123 réunies ensemble par la canalisation 124 débouchant dans un tiroir 125 racordé aux entrées 126 et 127 des ballons-dégazeurs 128 et 129, le ballon 128 étant en cours de chasse et le ballon 129 en cours de remplissage par les puits. Les sorties d'effluent liquide 130 et 131 sont raccordées à une canalisation d'évacuation des liquides 133 en surface par l'intermédiaire d'un tiroir 132.In the representation of FIG. 6, the installation comprises, for example, three inlets from wells 121, 122, 123 joined together by the pipe 124 opening into a drawer 125 connected to the inputs 126 and 127 of the degassing flasks 128 and 129, the flask 128 being chased and the balloon 129 being filled by the wells. The liquid effluent outlets 130 and 131 are connected to a liquid evacuation pipe 133 on the surface by means of a drawer 132.

Les sorties d'effluent gazeux 134 et 135 sont raccordées à une canalisation d'évacuation des gaz en surface 136 par l'intermédiaire d'un tiroir 137 et la canalisation d'arrivée 139 de gaz de chasse est raccordée aux canalisation 134 et 135 par l'intermédiaire d'un tiroir 138. Des cellules de détection de variation de poids ou de flottabilité 140 et 141 provoquent la manoeuvre de l'ensemble des tiroirs. La régulation du débit des puits, fonction de leur pression en tête est assurée par une vanne de régulation de pression placée, par exemple mais non limitativement en surface sur la canalisation 136.The gaseous effluent outlets 134 and 135 are connected to a surface gas evacuation pipe 136 by means of a drawer 137 and the flush gas inlet pipe 139 is connected to the pipes 134 and 135 by via a drawer 138. Weight variation or buoyancy detection cells 140 and 141 cause the assembly of all the drawers to be operated. The regulation of the flow rate of the wells, as a function of their head pressure, is ensured by a pressure regulation valve placed, for example but not limited to the surface on the pipe 136.

Avec référence à la figure 7, le système met en oeuvre:

  • - un puits 151 raccordé au ballon-dégazeur 153 par une canalisation 152 dont une partie est une spirale conique permettant, d'une part, par élasticité, un mouvement relatif de son extrémité supérieure par rapport à l'embase lest 154, et, d'autre part, constitue un échangeur de chaleur avec le milieu dans lequel elle trempe, la mer par exemple;
  • - Le ballon-dégazeur 153 en forme de spirale conique dont l'extrémité inférieure est fixée dans l'embase lest, et dont l'extrémité supérieure est un libre flottabilité.
With reference to FIG. 7, the system implements:
  • a well 151 connected to the degassing flask 153 by a pipe 152, part of which is a conical spiral allowing, on the one hand, by elasticity, a relative movement of its upper end relative to the ballast base 154, and, d on the other hand, constitutes a heat exchanger with the environment in which it soaks, the sea for example;
  • - The degassing flask 153 in the form of a conical spiral whose lower end is fixed in the ballast base, and whose upper end is free buoyancy.

La forme donnée au ballon-dégazeur permet un large échange thermique avec le milieu extérieur, une surface importante de dégazage de l'effluent, et des variations de déplacement détectables de l'extrémité supérieure du ballon-séparateur sous l'effet des variations de flottabilité conséquences des variations de niveau du liquide qu'il contient. Ces variations de déplacement sont suivies par un détecteur 155 les transmettant en surface par un câble ou une fibre optique 156 afin de moduler la puissance motrice transmise à la pompe 157 par un câble de puissance 158. La sortie gaz 159 du ballon-dégazeur 153 est reliée par une canalisation 160 partiellement flexible, à la surface, où une vanne de régulation de pression permet d'ajuster le débit du puits à la valeur désirée.The shape given to the degassing flask allows a large heat exchange with the external environment, a large surface area for degassing the effluent, and detectable displacement variations of the upper end of the separator flask under the effect of variations in buoyancy. consequences of variations in the level of the liquid it contains. These variations in displacement are followed by a detector 155 transmitting them to the surface by a cable or an optical fiber 156 in order to modulate the motive power transmitted to the pump 157 by a power cable 158. The gas outlet 159 of the degassing flask 153 is connected by a channel tion 160 partially flexible, on the surface, where a pressure regulating valve makes it possible to adjust the flow rate of the well to the desired value.

Claims (12)

1. A system for working deposits of fluids, which is intended primarily to permit production and to enhance recovery of the fluids in situ, said system comprising at least one working well (1) whose production head is connected by a rigid or flexible conduit to at least one immersed separator (3) which is disposed in the vicinity of the production head, and characterised in that said separator is a degasser vessel (3) which is mounted floatingly so that it can sink to a greater or lesser depth in dependence on the weight of the liquid substances contained therein, and that it further comprises:
- a lifting means (4) for discharging the liquid substances from the degasser vessel to a discharge conduit (13),
- a means (6) for regulating the flow rate of the liquids discharged from the degasser vessel, said regulating means being responsive to the variations in buoyancy of the degasser vessel in dependence on the weight of the liquid substances that it contains, and
- a device for regulating the flow rate of the well (1) comprising means (11,18) which are pilot-controlled by the pressure of the gas contained in the degasser vessel (3), permitting modulation of the pressure of the natural or artificial gas ceiling created in said degasser vessel, by pinching off the gas discharge conduit (12) at any of its points to the atmosphere or to installations for collecting gas if the latter is treated for use and/or for recovery of the condensable liquid fractions that it contains.
2. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the conduits passing into and issuing from the installation are provided with operating and safety isolating valves which are operated by the variations in buoyancy and/or weight of the degasser vessel (3) and/or, under remote control, voluntarily, and that it further comprises a system for detecting abnormal lateral movements of the degasser vessel (3), permitting said valves to be actuated in order to protect the installation from any attack by the outside medium.
3. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the means for lifting the effluent material consists of a motor-pump unit (4, 5) which can be lifted from the surface independently of the other elements of the installation and whose motor (5) preferably comprises a hydraulic turbine, the drive fluid intake of which is regulated by said regulating means which is pilot-controlled mechanically by the variations in buoyancy of the degasser vessel
(3).
4. A system according to one of claims 1 and 3 characterised in that said regulating means comprises a valve (6) or shut-off device for regulating the motor fluid which is located remotely from the degasser vessel (3) and the lifting pump (4), at the surface and/or remotely, the variations in buoyancy or weight of the degasservessel (3) being transmitted to said valve by a transmission means for ensuring regular operation of the process, such as pneumatic, electrical, hydraulic, electronic, optical fibre or other transmission means, wherein a plurality of said means may be simultaneously combined in order to ensure a permanent connection.
5. A system according to one of claims 1 and 4 characterised in that the means for lifting the effluent material is a motor-pump unit (4, 5) which can be lifted from the surface independently of the other elements of the installation and whose motor (5) is electrical, the supply power of the motor being governed by the variations in weight or buoyancy of the degasser vessel (3), which are transmitted to the surface.
6. A system according to one of claims 1, and 4 characterised in that the motor fluid consists of the effluent itself, being recycled and re-mixed with the crude effluent at the discharge of the lifting pump (4), or a particular fluid which flows in a closed circuit which is different from that for the effluent material from the well or wells (1).
7. A system according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the degasser vessel (3) has a degree of liberty in respect of vertical translation or rotation about a horizontal axis or else is mounted on a resiliently deformable support.
8. A system according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the degasser vessel (82) is designed in the form of a torus with its main axis vertical, forming a protective structure around the well head and the other elements of the installation, being positioned in the central opening of said vessel (82).
9. A system according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the degasser vessel (153) is fixed to the ballast base (154) and is wound in the configuration of a conical spiral in such a way as to permit by elasticity detectable movements or forces in respect of its upper end and also to form a heat exchanger with the outside medium.
10. A system according to one of claims 1 and 2 characterised in that the operation of lifting the liquid effluent is effected by gas flushing alternated with a filling period, wherein the installation may comprise a plurality of degasser vessels (128, 129) so as to ensure continuity in the flow of the well or wells connected thereto.
11. A system according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that a plurality of wells (1) are connected to the same degasser vessel (3) and that a single well (1) may be connected to a plurality of degasser vessels (3) and both a plurality of lifting means to the same degasser vessel and a single lifting means forthe liquid effluentto a plurality of degasser vessels.
EP83401124A 1982-06-08 1983-06-03 Production system for under water deposits of fluids Expired EP0097080B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT83401124T ATE20949T1 (en) 1982-06-08 1983-06-03 SYSTEM FOR MINING UNDERWATER DEPOSITS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8209976A FR2528106A1 (en) 1982-06-08 1982-06-08 SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF UNDERWATER DEPOSITS OF FLUIDS, TO ALLOW THE PRODUCTION AND TO INCREASE THE RECOVERY OF FLUIDS IN PLACE, WITH FLOW REGULATION
FR8209976 1982-06-08

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EP0097080A1 EP0097080A1 (en) 1983-12-28
EP0097080B1 true EP0097080B1 (en) 1986-07-23

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EP (1) EP0097080B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE20949T1 (en)
BR (1) BR8303020A (en)
DE (1) DE3364709D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2528106A1 (en)
NO (1) NO832034L (en)

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US10844698B2 (en) 2017-12-01 2020-11-24 Onesubsea Ip Uk Limited Liquid retainer for a production system
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Publication number Publication date
US4527632A (en) 1985-07-09
FR2528106B1 (en) 1985-04-19
NO832034L (en) 1983-12-09
EP0097080A1 (en) 1983-12-28
BR8303020A (en) 1984-01-31
ATE20949T1 (en) 1986-08-15
DE3364709D1 (en) 1986-08-28
FR2528106A1 (en) 1983-12-09

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